Post-War engravings?

[major bill]

Not sure if this should not be in the weapons forum.

While being a docent at the Michigan History Museum yesterday a question was asked by a visitor and I did not have a great answer. Perhaps you can help. In one of the display cases is a weapon with engravings and the question I was ask was "Were the engraving done during the War or were the engravings done after the War?" How can one tell?

Who ever engrave this did a great job. I suspect only a few of the men in a typical company would have had the skill need to do such a fine job. I also wonder if they had the tools needed. Is it possible that the owner took this to someone after the War and had the engraving done? I take it different font types were used during the War and decades after the War so this is one way to tell. I am not sure how the experts can tell.

The museum patron did ask an interesting question and one I was not qualified to answer.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Just an observation.... Since the respective list of engagements is all perfectly aligned, sized, and balanced from start to finish with the Grand Review... it would tend to imply this was mostly likely engraved after the war.. All done at one session.

 

[major bill]

This is a great display piece for Michigan. Almost all the copper used by the Union during the Civil War came from Michigan., much iron ore came from Michigan, as did most hardwood. Other than the zinc all the material in this weapon could be from Michigan.

 

[major bill]

Just for those who want to know, does anyone want to ID the type of weapon here? Although we do not see much of it this is not real hard.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Henry repeating rifle... cal. 44-40.... Yeah that was far too easy...lol

 

[zburkett]

44-40 or 44 rim fire?

 

[mofederal]

.44 Rimfire also called a .44 Long Rimfire. In Europe it was called the 11x23mmR (Rimmed).